Wrench with flexible chain



p 30, 1958 P. MEARS ETAL 2,853,909

WRENCH WITH FLEXIBLE CHAIN 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 2, 1956 FIG-.1.

FIG.2.

INVEN TORS. @0441 2.. Mm/u BY W mww filth-20 zz P 0, 1958 P. L. MEARS ET AL 2,853,909

WRENCH WITH FLEXIBLE CHAIN Filed May 2, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 5o 22 INVENTORS Gaul fJf tuvw/ y MM TTORNEYS United States Patent WRENCH WITH FLEXIBLE CHAIN Paul L. Mears and Robert R. Mears, Lancaster, Ohio Application May 2, 1956, Serial No. 582,116

19 Claims. (Cl. 81-67) The present invention relates generally to wrenches and particularly to wrenches of the type wherein a flexible member is wrapped around the object to which torque is to be applied.

In general, the wrench construction of the present invention includes a head means provided with an actuating handle. A chain connector arm is pivotally fastened to the head and a flexible chain, or the like, is secured to the end of the chain connector. The chain is wrapped around an object to which torque is to be applied, such as a piece of tubing or pipe, .and a latch portion on the head means is caused to latch with the chain when said chain is in close contact with the outer wall surface of the object. The handle is then actuated with the first movement of the handle applying tension to the chain whereby such chain is caused to frictionally grip the outer surface of the object. As the initial actuation of the handle is effected, the pivoted chain connector arm will move towards a stop means provided on the head means. When the chain connector arm engages the stop means, any additional force applied by the operator to the handle will not tend to tighten the chain about the object but will merely apply additional torque to the object being tightened or loosened. This arrangement limits the magnitude of tension force applied to the chain as well as the amount of compression or crushing force applied to the object being tightened. Hence the occurrence of chain failure and damage to the object is prevented.

The present novel wrench construction is further provided with means for conveniently suspending the wrench in an operative position on the object when the operators attention is directed elsewhere, and a novel handle mechanism is incorporated, which mechanism serves to actuate the latch means and to move the previously mentioned stop means to various positions of adjustment relative to the chain connector arm.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a novel wrench of the type described which includes means for limiting the tension force applied to the flexible member notwithstanding the application of high magnitudes of torque by the wrench to an object.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a novel wrench of the type described which includes means for limiting the compression or radially inwardly directed force applied to the surface of an object to which torque is being applied.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a novel wrench of the type described which includes means for suspending the tool in an operative position on an object to which torque is to be applied.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a wrench of the type described which includes a novel handle mechanism which serves to extend and retract both the latch means of the apparatus and a stop means comprising a portion of the above described tension limiting means.

2,853,909 Patented Sept. 30, 1958 Ice Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings wherein a preferred form of embodiment of the invention is clearly shown.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a wrench con structed according to the present invention;

Figure 2 is a bottom plan view of the wrench construction of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a top plan view of the wrench construction of the preceding figures; and

Figure 4 is a side sectional view of the wrench of the preceding figures with the section being taken through the center of the tool along the line 44 of Figure 3.

Referring next to Figures 1 through 3 of the drawing, the present wrench construction includes a head means indicated generally at 20. A handle 22 is insertably mounted in head means 20, in a manner later to be described. The tool further includes a chain connector arm indicated generally at 24, said arm being formed with spaced parallel portions 25 pivotally attached to head means 20 at a pin 27.

A flexible member, which may be in the form of a link chain, is indicated generally at 30 and shown wrapped around a tube 32 to which torque is to be applied by actuation of handle 22 in the direction indicated by an arrow 33.

One end of chain 30 is fastened to the outer end of chain connector arm 24 by a pin 35 extended through spaced parallel arm portions 36. The chain extends around the outer surface of tube 32 and is passed through a guide hole 37. A latch member 40 is slideably carried by head means 20 and extendable and retractable to various positions of adjustment.

Referring next to the side sectional view of Figure 4, latch member 40 is slideably carried in guide 41 formed through the forward end of head means 20 and includes a latch portion 43 arranged to engage and latch with a second latch portion 44 provided by an outer surface of one of the links 45 of chain 30.

Latch member 40 further includes a shoulder 46 located so as to engage a stop means formed by a surface 47 on transverse portion 48 of previously described chain connector arm 24.

When the handle 22 is moved in the direction of arrow 33, as seen in Figure 4, pivotal relative movement, between connector arm 24 and head means 29, will occur about pin 27 only during the initial movement of the handle and only until shoulder 46 engages surface 47 of stop means 48. During such initial movement of the handle tension is applied to the flexible member and such flexible member is tightened into frictional gripping relationship with the outer surface of tube 32.

After the initial movement of handle 22, and subsequent to engagement of shoulder 46, the application of additional force to handle 22 will increase the moment of torque applied to tube 32. The tension in chain 30, however, will not be materially increased by such additional force application since the engaged shoulder 46 and surface 47 prevents any further stretching of the chain 3i) and any increase in the magnitude of the radially inwardly directed force exerted on the tube. Such forces reach a maximum when shoulder 46 engages surface 47.

As seen in Figure 4, the inner end of handle 22 is inserted into a socket 50 in the rear end of head means 29 and secured therein for axial extension and retraction ring 58 is, carried in one of the grooves and arranged to snap into and out of the other of the grooves. Hench the handle 22 can readily be attached to or disconnected from head means 20.

With reference to Figure 4, latch member 40 is provided with a protrusion 60 which, upon forward extension of the latch member, engages pin 27 whereby the latch member is retained inhead means 20. In assembling the apparatus the latch member 40 is inserted into guide passage 41 through a front opening 62 thereof, and the arm 24 and pin 27 are next attached to head means. 23 whereby latch member 40 is ret ained in guide passage 4;, When handle 22 is removedfrorn socketSfl, the rearward movement of latch member 40 is limited by the termination of guide passage 41.

To provide means for retaining the wrench in an operative position on tube 32, when the operators attention, is directed. elsewhere, aresilient member 65 is secured to transverse portion 48 of connector arm 24 by means of suitable fasteningsfid driven or screwed into holes in such arm portion, It will be understood that when force is not being applied to handle 22, and such handle is released, the handle will hang downwardly from a'tube and latch portion 43 will fall away from link surface 44 due to the lost motion linkage between connector arm 24 and latch means 40. In such instance of release, the chain 30 would slip outwardly. through guide hole 37 if the member 65 were not present. The forward shoulder 68 on resilient member 65, however, will, in such instances of release, engage one of the surfaces of links 45 and prevent chain 30 from leaving guide hole 37 whereby the tool is prevented from falling from the tube.

When handle 22 is rotated in its threaded, socket it extends or retracts latchportion 43 to properly position same in latched relationship with an appropriate latch portion 44 of chain 30 for the particular diameter of the tube to which torque is to be applied. Such extension and retraction of latch member 40 also serves to extend and retract shoulder 46 along surface 47 of intermediate arrn portion 48. When latch portion 43 is extended forwardly, shoulder 46fand surface 47 are forced farther apart due to pivoting of arm 24 at pin 27. Hence increased tension in the chain and frictional force on the tube can be achieved when force is applied to the handle.

Conversely, when latch portion 43 is retracted, decreased tension and frictional force is achieved when the handle is actuated. Hence it is seen that the present apparatus is adapted to vary the magnitude of frictional force which the wrench applies to the tube independently of the torque being applied." Therefore, the operator can selectively movethe latch portion 43 towards or away from latch portion 44 ,to provide a fine adjustment for the amount of tension that will be applied to flexible member 30 when the shoulder 46 moves from an initial position, at which actuation of the handle begins, to a terminal position at which such shoulder engages the confronting surface 47 on connector arm 24.

While the form of embodiment of the present invention as herein disclosed constitutes a preferred form, it

is to be understood that other forms might be adopted,

all coming within the scope of the claims which follow:

We claim: 1. An improvement in Wrenches of the type incorporating a flexible member for disposition around a member to which torque is to be applied, said improvement comprising, in combination, head means. including a handle portion, a latch member on said head means and engageable with said flexible member, a shoulder portion on said latch member, and a member moveably mounted to saidihead means, said flexiblemember being attached tosaid moveably mounted member, and said shoulder portion forming a stop for limiting the movement of said h -b mqi nts -saber r l tix to s d h n 2. Mechanism defined in claim 1 characterized by said flexible member comprising a plurality of pivotally connected links, saidlinks having shoulder portions for latched engagement with said latch member.

3. An improvement in wrenches of the type incorporating a flexible member for disposition around a member to which torque is to be applied, said improvement comprising, in combination, head means including a handle portion; a latch member moveably carried on said head means and engageablewith said flexible member; said latch member including a shoulder portion, an arm forming a connector between said head means and said flexible member, said arm being moveably mounted to said head, said shoulder portion forming a limit for movement of said arm relative to said head means.

4. Mechanism defined in claim 3 characterized by pin means forming a pivotal connection of said arm to said head, and by said head means forming a guide for slideable movement of said latch member relative to saidpin means, said latch member including a projection engage able with said pin means for retaining said latch member in said guide.

5. Mechanism defined in claim 3 characterized by said flexible member comprising a plurality of pivotally connected links, said links having shoulder portions for latched engagement with said moveable latch member.

6.:A wrench comprising, in combination, a head member; handle means for. said head member; an arm pivotally connected to said head member; a flexible member connected to said arm at a location spaced from said pivot; and a latch member carried by said head, said latch member including a latch portion engageable with said flexibl'e member when said flexible member is wrapped around an object to be turned, said latch mem: ber further including a shoulder engageable with said arm for limiting the pivotable movement of said arm relative to said head member.

7. i A wrench comprising, in combination, a head member; handle means for said head member; an arm pivotally connected to said head member; a flexible member connected to said arm at a location spaced from said pivot; a latch member, slidably carried by said head, said latch member including a latch portion engageable with said flexible member when said flexible member is wrapped around an object to be tightened, saidlatch member further including a shoulder engageable with said arm for limiting the pivotable movement of said arm relative to said head member, and means for extending and retracting sai lat chm ember relative to said flexible member.

' 8. An improvement in wrenches of the type incorporating a flexible chain for disposition around a member to which torque isto be applied said improvement com-i prising, in combination, head means forming a longitudinally disposed guidejhandle means for manipulating said head means; a chain connector having a first end pivotally mounted to said head means and a second end secured to said flexible chain; a latch member slideably carried in said guide and including an extended end forming a stop engageable With said chain connector beyond said pivoted first end, and a latch portion on said latch member adapted to grip said chain between said portion and awork member; and means for extending and retracting said latch member relative to said head:

means.

9. An improvement in wrenches of the type incorporatinga flexible member, said flexible member having an outer side and an inner side for disposition around a member to which torque is to be applied, said improvement comprising, in combination, aheadmeans in cluding a handle portion, a latch portion on said head means and engageable with said flexible member for applying tension to said flexible member upon manipulation of. said handle portion, and guide means secured to said headmeans and receiving said flexible member, said guide means including a shoulder engageable with said outer side of flexible member for retaining said flexible member in said guide means whereby said wrench is suspended in an operative position on the member to which torque is to be applied.

10. Mechanism defined in claim 9 characterized by said guide means being formed by a pair of spaced members having inner ends mounted to said head means and outer ends attached to said flexible member, and by said shoulder being formed by means mounted between said spaced members intermediate the ends thereof.

11, An improvement in wrenches of the type incorporating a flexible member for disposition around a member to which torque is to be applied, said improvement comprising, in combination, a head means including a handle portion, a latch portion engageable with said flexible member for applying tension to said flexible member upon manipulation of said handle portion, and a stop portion; annarm moveably attached to said head means, said stop portion forming a limit for movement of said arm relative to said head means; and guide means on said arm, said guide means including a shoulder engageable with said flexible member for retaining said flexible member in said guide means whereby said wrench is suspended in an operative position on the member to which torque is to be applied.

12. Mechanism defined in claim 11 characterized by said flexible member comprising a plurality of pivotally connected links and by said shoulder on said guide means mg formed by a resilient projection to latch with said 13. Mechanism defined in claim 11 characterized by said latch portion being formed by a member moveably mounted on said head means, and by means for moving said latch portion relative to said head means.

14. An improvement in wrenches of the type incorporating a flexible member for disposition around a member to which torque is to be applied, said improvement comprising, in combination, a head member including a guide and a socket; latch means moveably carried by said guide and moveable into latched engagement with the periphery of said flexible member when said flexible member is disposed around said member to be tightened; and handle means for manipulating said head member, said handle means being rotatably carried in said socket and connected to said latch means whereby rotation of said handle means extends and retracts said latch means relative to said head member.

15. An improvement in wrenches of the type incorporating a flexible member for disposition around a member to which torque is to be applied, said improvement comprising, in combination, a head member including a guide and a threaded portion; latch means moveably carried by said guide and moveable into latched engagement with the periphery of said flexible member when said flexible member is disposed around said member to be tightened; and a handle means including a second threaded portion in threaded engagement with said first mentioned threaded portion; means detachably connecting said handle means to said latch means; an arm having one end pivotally attached to said head member and the other end connected to said flexible member; and a pin forming said pivot for said arm, said pin being extended through said head member adjacent said guide and forming a stop for limiting the movement of said latch means relatively to said head member.

16. An improvement in wrenches of the type incorporating a flexible member ior disposition around a member to which torque is to be applied, said improvement comprising, in combination, a head member including a guide and a threaded portion; latch means moveably carried by said guide and moveable into latched engagement with the periphery of said flexible member when said flexible member is disposed around said member to be tightened, said latch means including a shoulder; and a handle means including a second threaded portion in threaded engagement with said first mentioned threaded portion; means detachably connecting said handle means to said latch means; an arm having one end pivotally attached to said head member and the other end connected to said flexible-member; and a pin forming said pivot for said arm, said pin being extended through said head member adjacent said guide and forming a stop for limiting the movement of said latch means relatively to said head member, and means forming a shoulder on said arm engageable with said first shoulder for limiting the pivotal movement of said arm, the rotation of said handle means serving to extend and retract said first shoulder relative to said second shoulder.

17. Mechanism defined in claim 1 characterized by said flexible member comprising a plurality of pivotally connected links, said links including recessed sides facing radially outwardly when said flexible member is disposed about an object to be tightened, said recessed sides forming latch portions engaged by said latch members.

18. An improvement in wrenches of the type incorporating a flexible member for disposition around a member to which torque is to be applied, said improvement comprising, in combination, a head means including a handle portion, a latch portion on said head means and engageable with said flexible member for applying tension to said flexible member upon manipulation of said handle portion, and guide means secured to said head means and receiving said flexible member, said guide means including a shoulder engageable with said flexible member for retaining said flexible member in said guide means whereby said wrench is suspended in an operative position on the member to which torque is to be applied, said flexible member comprising a plurality of pivotally connected links and by said shoulder on said guide means being formed by a resilient projection arranged to latch with said links.

19. An improvement in wrenches of the type incorporating a flexible member for disposition around a member to which torque is to be applied, said improvement comprising, in combination, a head means including a handle portion, :a latch portion on said head means and engageable with said flexible member for applying tension to said flexible member upon manipulation of said handle portion, and guide means securing to said head means and receiving said flexible member, said guide means including a shoulder engageable with said flexible member for retaining said flexible member in said guide means whereby said wrench is suspended in an operative position on the member to which torque is to be applied, said latch portion being formed on a member moveably mounted on said head means, and by means for moving said moveably mounted member relative to said head means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,097,072 Bates May 19, 1914 1,328,744 Lenholt -L Jan. 20, 1920 1,542,359 Bessole June 16, 1925 2,009,765 Davis July 30, 1935 FOREIGN PATENTS 25,892 Great Britain AD 1901 

